Jack Tretton on stepping down as SCEA president: “I wanted to go out on top”

SCEA’s former president and CEO, Jack Tretton, has opened up a bit about his final days at the firm, and why he chose to step down following the successful launch of PS4.

Speaking in an interview with Games Industry International, Tretton said, “I did want to go out on top. I feel really good about where I left PlayStation with PS4 and I wish them the best of luck going forward.

“I spent 19 years with Sony and enjoyed it very much, but my original plan was three years and it just continued to get extended as the company was successful and I was successful. It just got to the point, especially with the success of PlayStation 4, that I’d done just about everything I could for them and I really wanted an opportunity to be more of a free agent as opposed to being dedicated to one platform and one company.”

Tretton said that establishing the PlayStation 3 and the Blu-ray technology, was the most challenging time. Noting that releasing PlayStation 4 “was such a great redemption.” The former Sony Computer Entertainment of America president also didn’t shy away from talking about Sony’s competition.

“I think every company has their challenges but I have a tremendous amount of respect for Microsoft and Nintendo,” he began. “I think they both have tremendous resources and strengths and they’ve had their successes in the past and they’ll have their successes in the future,” he said. “Both companies will ultimately be around for a long time to come and will continue to have success in gaming. I’ve always said I think a rising tide lifts all boats, so if gaming is going to be healthy it needs as many healthy companies as possible.

“A world where there’s only one successful console manufacturer is not necessarily a healthy world. You need multiple people bringing multiple ideas and technologies to bear.”

The interview is an excellent look at the his legacy as a CEO for the past 19 years, and what lies ahead, do give it a read.